Gloria Ceballos, director of the Weather Office (Onamet) highlights that Tropical Storm Bret could affect Puerto Rico by Friday, 23 June 2023 and the DR by Saturday and Sunday. The storm is moving fast to the west at around 33 km per hour. She explains that the hot waters in the Caribbean Sea worsen the situation this season.
Speaking on the possibility of the storm weakening or continuing the track that puts the Dominican Republic in the path for a hit, she said once the storm enters the Caribbean, it could take a more southern track. A more accurate forecast, nevertheless, can only be determined once the storm enters the Caribbean Sea.
Regardless, Ceballos said the models indicate that by the weekend there will be heavy rains nationwide.
Speaking on the Esta Noche con Mariasela, she said it is the first time a storm is formed so east of the Atlantic as early as June. She said the storms outside of Africa usually happen after August. The storm’s strength is fueled by the abnormally hot waters attributed, in turn, to climate change and global warming.
She said the Dominican Republic could receive the brunt of the storm by Saturday afternoon and Sunday if the track is maintained. It is uncertain whether the storm will hit as a tropical storm or hurricane 1 or 2.
MikeFisher, the acute DR1 Storm Weather forecaster, reports that unfortunately, there is no Saharan Dust in the air impeding the storm’s development. He explains there is no bothering wind shear and the whole Caribbean Sea waters “are perfectly hot”. He writes it is a storm with a clearly defined center and nicely placed power areas around it. He says people should take preventive actions and plan for a Cat 1 hurricane over the central Lesser Antilles by Thursday or early Friday.
Follow the story:
Esta Noche con Mariasela
Onamet
MikeFisher for DR1 Weather
20 June 2023